Apparently winning back-to-back MVP awards isn't allowed. At least not according to the “experts” at ESPN.com.

In a poll of 25 of their most esteemed NBA writers, editors and contributors, LeBron James was the overwhelming favorite to win the league's best player award, garnering 11 more votes than runner-up Chris Paul.

Kobe Bryant was third with three votes.

The committee's reasoning was one, that James has inherited Bryant's tag of being the best player never to have won the MVP, and two, after being named MVP, Bryant struggled in the Finals and Olympics.

The ESPN folks also made a case for James not winning it, among the reasons were he's tired from the summer and might pace himself. Plus, the Cavs might not win 50 games, which is something of a requirement.

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